科学｜友達親子の増加とその影響 / The Increase in Science-Friendly Parent-Child Relationships and Its Impact

Summary

Recently, there has been an increase in a new type of parent-child relationship called “friend parents,” but doctors are sounding an alarm about its impact. In particular, there are concerns about the presence or absence of a rebellious phase and changes in the communication style between parents and children. It is necessary to understand the difficulties that children face.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Mr. Tanaka (Engineer): “Recently, I often hear the term ‘friend-like parent-child relationship.’ Is this really a good thing?”

Mr. Watanabe (Commentator): “Indeed, there are benefits to having a parent-child relationship that’s like a friendship. However, on the other hand, it’s being seen as problematic if the child doesn’t go through a rebellious phase.”

Mr. Tanaka: “If children don’t go through a rebellious phase, wouldn’t they fail to learn how to assert themselves?”

Mr. Watanabe: “That’s exactly right. If they can’t assert themselves, it could potentially affect their adaptability once they enter society.”

Admin’s Note

On Mother’s Day this year, the concept of “friend-like parent-child relationships” has gained attention, reflecting a shift in parent-child communication. While treating each other like friends can strengthen the bond between parents and children, it also harbors the risk of downplaying the importance of independence and self-assertion that develops during adolescence. As parents, it is also important to present our children with experiences necessary for their emotional growth. In today’s information-rich society, how to build this parent-child relationship is a concern for many families.